Andrew, right now may not be the ideal time to be buying a property. Over the next 6 months or so a raft of properties - mainly city centre apartments - will come on to the market at incredible comparitive prices. Example: we know of 2 bed flats in Liverpool sold to buy to letters in 2004 for well over £200k selling at auction now for c.£100k. I also know that in Liverpool there is an overhang of unsold new build properties of about 14,000 units. The story will be the same in any other regional city. London has its own problems. You should have no problem accessing a mortgage of £100 - £125,000. You do not need life assurance as you have no dependents. Pension planning is a low priority. Good luck.

Simon Kershaw, Wirral,

I am paid weekly in a complicated way. I'm salaried and I am a Contract meter reader getting paid per meter. However 70 % is taxable and 30% is paid in expenses so my P60 looks worse than it is (4500 extra last year so 26500 went in my bank). I want to get on the property ladder and have 15K saved up. Also have health insurance (Pru) but no pension or life insurance. No credit card debt or loans. 37 yrs old always single and no dependents. Usually save 1000 per month. Help!

Andrew Jackson, March , Cambs